A New Year – A New Threat To Your Network Security

A New Year – A New Threat To Your Network Security

2018 is retiring and handing the reins over to 2019. At the stroke of midnight, while fireworks are exploding overhead and festivities are underway, evil will continue to lurk in the darkness, waiting for the perfect opportunity to hit you where it hurts the most. Your network has become not only a target, but also a channel for disruption; a primary route of distribution for various attacks. Security is always a concern year after year, and 2019 will end up just as perilous as new threats emerge. It is important to not let your guard down – take a good look at your network infrastructure and upgrade plans as you prepare to respond to the following network threats:

1. Malware

Malware is a malicious version of software planted into your network that can wreak havoc. Malware typically gets planted through human missteps, such as clicking a pop-up link with an installed malware bug or downloading an infected file. However, a skilled hacker can research weaknesses in your network defenses, such as weak passwords, outdated operating systems or even ineffective anti-virus software. They can then tunnel through such weak spots to plant viruses, steal information directly, or take complete control of your hardware.

2. Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software that threatens to publish the victim’s data or perpetually block access to it unless a ransom is paid. These attacks quickly spread across systems, but do not rely on humans to click a button, download a file or plug in a USB stick. They just need an active and unpatched workstation (think WannaCry and NotPetya) and an automated software update. Many security researchers believe that the primary purpose of some ransomware attacks is not to extort money, but to deliberately destroy data on infected systems.

3. Phishing

Phishing schemes come in a variety of forms, though their central goal is the same — to get an actual person to relay business-critical information, such as network passwords, personal data, social security numbers, or bank accounts. Phishing operations are often more successful than other types of data hacks because they employ a human “touch” to get what they need. Phishing hackers often send messages and frame information as if it were coming from a trustworthy source. They may even look like emails from people you know or services you use, such as your coworker or your bank, with links that re-direct you to an inconspicuous website. From there, the hacker can implant malware onto your computer or have you input the exact information they seek — all while still pretending to be someone you know.

4. Denial of Service (DoS) Attack

Denial-of-service attacks are when hackers bombard a network with so much traffic your website literally cannot function. This kind of network flooding can be launched from numerous attack points, with dozens of computers or computer programs synced up to attack a business network and jam traffic. And while denial-of-service attacks don’t necessarily extract data, they are expensive and debilitating. Additionally, they may reveal that your overall IT infrastructure needs serious attention.

5. Brute Force Attacks

While other data attacks attempt to trick users or sneak past system defenses, brute-force hacks simply charge at a network. Cyber attackers using a brute-force strategy will typically inundate a network with various password trial-and-error attempts. Many will employ custom software that can attempt hundreds of password combinations a minute, expediting their hack and giving them access to an entire network’s data through a single entry point. This is kind of like a thief trying to break into a safe by attempting every possible combination of numbers until the safe opens.

With That in Mind…

2019 is upon us and celebrating the new year should be exciting, but it also important to remember that there is a very real threat out there. Overlooking certain details of your network security could cost you a lot of money, and may be serious enough to put a small company out of business. DataPro Solutions has been helping clients protect their networks for decades. Whether it’s a one-time fix or managing everything for you, let us know how we can help. We can make a real difference to your business. This is what drives us.